Citizenship likely to be granted to Chakma and Hajong refugees in Arunachal Pradesh; Three people injured in a turf war between members of the two factions of NSCN; Seven injured in Manipur blast; Reports: Peace pact with DHD (J) almost finalized; Central
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    • According to reports, a major breakthrough has been achieved on the fate of the Chakma and Hajong refugees staying in Arunachal Pradesh as a high power committee decided that those who came to India between 1964 to 1969 can be granted Indian citizenship. Joint Secretary (North East) of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Sambhu Singh said after the meeting in Itanagar that the issue has been creating controversy for years and a major breakthrough has been achieved in the meeting. Singh noted that the Government of India had formed the committee to look into the issues pertaining to the citizenship issue of Chakma and Hajong refugees in 2010. Representatives from the Government of India and Government of Arunachal Pradesh as well as All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) and Citizenship Demand Committee for Chakma and Hajong refugees are members of this committee. 1

    Reports noted that three persons were injured and a house was gutted during a turf war between two factions of the NSCN at Chasa village in Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh. Meanwhile, security forces including Army’s 14th Rajput Regiment from Longding, a company of 19 Assam Rifles, CRPF and local police reached the village to contain the violent situation. 2

    In another development, according to reports, seven persons including a woman sustained injuries in a bomb explosion at Khoyathong Pukhri Achouba Mapal under Imphal police station. Police suspect that the bomb might have been planted earlier. 3

    Reports noted that the Government of India has almost finalised a peace pact with militant group DHD(J), while, it is still apprehensive of the peace overtones of the Ranjan Daimary faction of the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB). The Joint Secretary (North East) of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Sambhu Singh said that the Government has reached an agreement with the DHD (J) and the date for signing a formal agreement with the outfit would be finalised soon. However, the Government has not yet been able to come into an agreement with DHD (Nunisha) faction. He said that the DHD (N) is demanding inclusion of 94 more villages in Dima Hassao district, which is not practical. 4

    Meanwhile, according to reports, concerned over the law-and-order situation in Manipur, the Central Government has decided to put the State under a thick security blanket in the run-up to the elections to the State Assembly. A high-level team comprising senior officers of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Intelligence Bureau (IB) are in Imphal on a three-day trip to assess the situation and to chalk out strategies to ensure violence-free elections. 5

    In other develoepmts, according to reports, out of the over 100-odd militant outfits in the North-east, only three have pledged against using land mines. The NSCN (I-M), Kuki National Organisation and little-known Zomi Re-unification Organisation have signed the Deed of Commitment under an initiative called Geneva Call. 6

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